Utawarerumono Episode 23 Discussion / Poll

[Catgirls]

Welcome to the discussion thread for Utawarerumono, Episode 23.

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Don't forget to use the spoiler title

....will get you this...

Don't forget to use the spoiler title

[ccardoso]

I voted perfect 10 by default. Utawarerumono is so cool! I love this anime, too bad I can't enter into Hakuoro's harem!!! :D

[Catgirls]

I voted perfect 10 by default. Utawarerumono is so cool! I love this anime, too bad I can't enter into Hakuoro's harem!!! :DI deleted your vote. Please do not vote until you have seen the episode. The purpose of the polls is to rate each episode on their own merit and, logically, you can not rate an episode until you have seen it. These polls are not meant as a rating of the entire show thus far (that will come later).

Thanks.

[Lost]

too bad I can't enter into Hakuoro's harem!!! :D
This is disturbing. You want to be part of Hakuoro's harem? :uhoh:

On topic. From last episode's preview, looks like Yuzuha will be featured here. So I'm hoping to see what role she will play in the outworking of the series; i.e. whether she will melt flesh from bones with her stare :heh: However, from the title (Where the Heart Lies) and with that look on Eruruu's face, I got the impression that this episode would be focusing mainly on Eruruu's relationship with Hakuoro now that she knows that he is the demon. Or rather, thats what I hope they will develop on in this episodes. Needs more EruruuXHakuoro!

This makes me think of a question at this stage. From the start, did Eruruu know that the demon she made a contract with and the man she healed were the same? Or did she not know until episode 22?

I dont think she knew from the start, because in 22, she didnt make the connection straight away. (22; Time 19:45)

[Kyero Fox]

This is disturbing. You want to be part of Hakuoro's harem? :uhoh:

On topic. From last episode's preview, looks like Yuzuha will be featured here. So I'm hoping to see what role she will play in the outworking of the series; i.e. whether she will melt flesh from bones with her stare :heh: However, from the title (Where the Heart Lies) and with that look on Eruruu's face, I got the impression that this episode would be focusing mainly on Eruruu's relationship with Hakuoro now that she knows that he is the demon. Or rather, thats what I hope they will develop on in this episodes. Needs more EruruuXHakuoro!

This makes me think of a question at this stage. From the start, did Eruruu know that the demon she made a contract with and the man she healed were the same? Or did she not know until episode 22?

I dont think she knew from the start, because in 22, she didnt make the connection straight away. (22; Time 19:45)

yea .. thats a bit awkward ... Unless you mean you want to be in Hakuoro's shoes and have the girls like you or something ... but if not thats just wrong.

[Ichy]

too bad I can't enter into Hakuoro's harem!!! :D

Oh no!!! Poor Hakuoro :mad: You wanna r**e him? Hey! Thats Toukas part! :D
The poor guy :heh:

[Catgirls]

Again, do not vote until you have seen the episode. I have deleted all the votes thus far. For those of you that voted early, your names will appear, but your vote won't count. From now on I'll keep the polls closed until the bloggers post their reports.

[ccardoso]

Ok Catgirl.
Anyway for "enter Hakuoro's harem" I meant the girls, not Hakuoro... :D
The blonde angel has two nice topics for example.. :cool:

[dxanato]

My bet this will be amount the saddest episode in the show.

[Cardiac Glycoside]

Deciphering the preview:

Dii: You do remember your part of the bargain, right Genjimaru?
Genjimaru: Of course. So do you prefer Sakuya in the cheongsam or the French maid uniform?
Dii: Surprise me. Remember, 7:00pm at the back of the hotel. I'm a busy, busy man.


Yuzuha: Eruruu-sama.... tell Onii-sama that I love him... but that I'm still angry about the time he played a prank and left the toilet plunger in the toilet... I couldn't shit well for a month.

[Lost]

LOL. More likely..

Yuzuha: Will you let me have Hakuoro's baby?

[Renegade334]

GAH.
The flashback arc? So soon? Whoopee - that leaves us with more room for the action part. BTW, leaf., although we're really grateful for the pics, don't forget to reupload the pics through Imageshack - 2chan pictures are deleted after a certain amount of time and are replaced with porn advertisements.

Thanks for the pic, though. Got the 2chan link? We could always erase it later so as to not anger the mods...

[Xellos-_^]

http://bin.4chan.org/a/res/938487.html

4chan link out.

This is NOT 2chan. The links don't turn into porn after a few days.

[Renegade334]

Thanks, Xellos- ^...just couldn't remember which one had those pr0n pics showing up after a while.

A few Imageshacked pics:

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4823/1157392941164va1.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8250/1157393011902ie5.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9013/1157393144450in2.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4406/1157393436550jx5.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7321/1157393534606vc5.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9463/1157393644478bq7.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8415/1157393704874ec6.jpg <-- Waabe survived, btw (and he technically knows who Hakuoro is...at least he did in the game. Hakuoro's mask is a dead giveaway)
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1001/1157393793496xd0.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4508/1157394022634dq2.jpg

[leaf.]

http://www.2chan.net/
First click "二次元実況裏" on the left side, then find the dissussion about Utawarerumono and click "返信"
You can find many pictures about Episode 23.

or click here to enter
Borken 4chan link removed by admin

[Xellos-_^]

http://www.2chan.net/
First click "二次元実況裏" on the left side, then find the dissussion about Utawarerumono and click "返信"
You can find many pictures about Episode 23.

Thats the one with the porn links.

[leaf.]

Really...I don't know
I just know there are many pics about the newest Utawarerumono...

PS: what does mean by btw and what's the adress of Imageshack

[Xellos-_^]

Really...I don't know
I just know there are many pics about the newest Utawarerumono...

*gives leaf a pat on the back

sure you don't we believed you ;)

[leaf.]

What's pt? What's ont?
Don't use simple English > < I can't understand!!!!
Bacause I'm not the person of English speaking country
我是中国人，谢谢

[Renegade334]

Imageshack pics:

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4291/1157393351322sb6.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/587/1157391867003ay1.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1477/1157391881863qv8.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/751/1157391881863qv8rs0.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8406/1157391916966ae8.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5858/1157391956919lc9.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7259/1157391918643ve5.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1806/1157391999014ze4.jpg <-- Winner for cuteness?
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3932/1157392082361hf1.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2749/1157392042838wn6.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/2609/1157392112672kd0.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/3805/1157392132570me7.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7715/1157392185507sc8.jpg <-- Mizunashi, I guess?
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1875/1157392220030tf5.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4158/1157392334032fb2.jpg <-- Guess who's running away?
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9374/1157392387605ig2.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6523/1157392375129do2.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4418/1157392566242bf7.jpg <-- "I guarantee, she IS good in bed, Lord Hakuoro"
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3148/1157392694222ki3.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8905/1157392707364ie7.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2871/1157392725681mc4.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4904/1157392747551kr6.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7208/1157392761073ss7.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8022/1157392852053tn5.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/580/1157392848038yl9.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/6307/1157392871889kt1.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3259/1157393024595vi2.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/4811/1157393056658qm7.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/943/1157395645634tn0.gif
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8116/1157395551254ch0.gif
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/1043/1157393311296fa1.jpg
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7240/1157393315594ag5.jpg <-- Loonelyy...I'm so looonelyyy...I've got noboodyyy of my ooowwwnnn...lalalala...
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/988/1157393034524jg7.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3205/1157393104224im4.jpg


BTW ("by the way" or, in some cases, "back to work"), Imageshack is a free image hoster - you can upload pictures there and get new URLs.
http://imageshack.us/

A pat = 八一 (I assume you're Chinese, right? This is from Google's online translator / converter)
Don't = do not.
Won't = will not.

[leaf.]

Er, yes...I'm chinese ^^ I come to this forum from my website...
A pat = 八一!? So stranger...“八一” means "eight one"
BTW I have recorded the Imageshack~ 3Q

[Renegade334]

...Eh? Okay, wait a minute...
Either that (Chinese simplified): 轻拍
Or that (Chinese traditional): 輕拍

I used http://www.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html as converter/translator, this time. -_^

[leaf.]

= =|||
I know certainly the meaning, My English also not that too bad...
That's all. Because the topic is about Episode 23 of Utaware (Eulogy)

[Flame-X]

OMG!!! thanku for all those screencaps!!! im so excited for the next ep :D
*shakes the monitor*

[Shinova]

Genjimaru is the man.


And I'm so looking forward to their confrontation with Kuuya next ep.

[Renegade334]

BTW, Omniscient's screencaps (http://randomc.animeblogger.net/2006/09/04/utawarerumono-23/) are already up. Looks like next ep we'll be greeted by Av Kamuu bashing, judging from the first pic of the preview. Hmm~ I wonder what that means... -_^

Looks like Dii is scared to death of Hakuoro seeing how he's clutching Dii's legs.

[Zaris]

How in the world did all these screencaps come out before the episode aired? (well technically it aired 13 hours ago, but man that's plenty fast)

EDIT: As I figured, BOTCHED.

Should I write my synopsis anyway? I'm so slower than the rest. :/

[Shinova]

Looks like Dii is scared to death of Hakuoro seeing how he's clutching Dii's legs.

You mean Hauenkua.

[Srin Tuar]

this ep

Well, this episode wasnt the bloodbath of retribution I expected, but the emotional mending with Eruru was important. Urutori seems to know everything about Hakuoro already, and she even knows exactly what to say to eruru to cheer her up. (I guess Eruru was depressed about the aparent loss of her free will)

Genkimaru is a fairly awesome warrior. Its too bad that he still seems like a pawn in comparison.

The preview for the next episode looks good.

[Flame-X]

aww the ep ended already :(
hakuro goes flashback on the 2nd time period which introduces Mikoto, hakuro's first lover. genjimaru defeated 2 of those giant armor guys while he and sakuya runs to tuskuru. eruru goes angst from that contract. the Onkamiyamukai dude comes back. eruru goes angst from that contract.

next ep... hakuro, eruru and genjimaru meets dii face to face. genjimaru might meet his death.

[Zaris]

...from the title (Where the Heart Lies) and with that look on Eruruu's face, I got the impression that this episode would be focusing mainly on Eruruu's relationship with Hakuoro now that she knows that he is the demon. Or rather, thats what I hope they will develop on in this episodes. Needs more EruruuXHakuoro!

This makes me think of a question at this stage. From the start, did Eruruu know that the demon she made a contract with and the man she healed were the same? Or did she not know until episode 22?

I dont think she knew from the start, because in 22, she didnt make the connection straight away. (22; Time 19:45)

This was one of the things that disturbed me the most, and it drew a line away from how the game went in terms of sequence of events.

It's pretty obvious that Eruruu knows Hakuoro and the anomaly to be of the same now (the juxtaposition of 「まさか…そんな…！」 translating to "It can't be...Is that...?!" and Aruruu's trademark "Daddy..."). But yea, the question in dispute now is to what extent does she know? From what we've seen, Hakuoro was just a random stranger she found in episode I that Eruruu could see no tie between the anomaly and Hakuoro. So what happened in that contract? Aruruu was healed, so what became of the anomaly? Just shake hands and disappeared? Where did Eruruu's portion of the contract take place? If it hasn't happened yet (at least to her knowledge), then what's her feeling on the monster? Was a a dream? An imagination?

In short, something doesn't add up or there is a new unanswered question that's been thrown into the series. But the series isn't over yet, and episode 23 may answer some of them from the looks of things.

It is quite ironic how Hakuoro shares everything with Eruruu, and confesses to her that there's nothing going on between he and Karura, but Eruruu keeps her sercrets from him. But there's a logic to everything...most of the time...

[leaf.]

I have finished watching Episode 23 ...I'm so sad not only disappoint, many expecting plots are cut
I just give 30 points!

[kron]

: O they skipped the prison scene. and yay Genjimaru didnt break sakuya's legs. over all good episode

[Kyero Fox]

Genjimaru is now my Fav guy character lol He kicks ass and is strong as hell ... he could take on Karura and touka or w.e her name is one on one :D

[Xellos-_^]

It is quite ironic how Hakuoro shares everything with Eruruu, and confesses to her that there's nothing going on between he and Karura, but Eruruu keeps her sercrets from him. But there's a logic to everything...most of the time...

Thats woman logic.

Whats yours is also hers and whats hers is hers alone.

[vietpimp]

Thats woman logic.

Whats yours is also hers and whats hers is hers alone.

LOL thats so true; don't ever get married until u have nothing else to give

[Zaris]

I must say, translating this episode threw me in a downward spiral through Japanese Proficiency Hell. But I did my best, and I hope I can make contact with my buddies so I can rework the mistakes in the summery, because I'm sure there's more than one. :/

But I think I got the overall point across. Click here for the Episode 23 Synopsis (http://www.takattack.net/exile/).

I'm not really certain what to say since I don't understand half the things that are going on. So I'll start by voicing my opinions on what I do know.

Hauenkua is in a miserable state, and it's just as well considering his pride has been beaten and broken. Hein is there to fill his place. His intentions are different, yes, but war is war, and Kuuya will follow his advice to advance in her misguided endeavors of protection and justice.

We got a lot out of Dii than I anticipated. He's able to mend and do things to dead and tramatized individuals, and his display of powers already suggests that he's not somebody you want to mess with. Curiously, he is allowed to freely roam about the palace, making me wonder if Kuuya is aware of his pressence or if he's just very good at hiding. The former may not be the case because if she knows about Dii, she would be seeking his council as Niwe did. Also, our buff Evinkuruga seems to have a connection with Dii, if not serve him. What goes on between them might be revealed in Episode 24 judging from the previews.

I certainly hope that this isn't the last time we see Hauenkua. He was ruthless and a very concrete evil. Dii just screws around with the order of things, but if you think of him as Kuja from Final Fantasy IX like I do, then he's pretty evil in that sense as well - starting bloody wars and toying with the nature of life. You start to see the similarities that make both Dii and Kuja witty (yet mysterious) antagonists. And that approach works well as long as the mystery does get carried away. There comes a point where the audience starts wanting answers and the more the producers keep it from you, the more strained they'll feel about the series as a whole.

Hakuoro's vision does seem a little out of place (I mean, it certainly didn't fit with the overall nature of things in episode 22), but from how they portrayed it, I believe the producers were careful not to bombard the viewers with too many obscurities in that scene. What ties Hakuoro to the vision is Mikoto's striking resemblance to Eruruu and the mask that Iceman wears (which any logical person can deduce is the same mask Hakuoro wears). Thus, we're literally left with a minute amount of questions, such as "where is this place?" and "when is this place?" If we could answer the "when", we'd resolve many other questions, I'm sure. And I can guarantee that we're going to get a lot more vision quests as the series concludes. But the big question that lies in my mind is, "Is Hakuoro going to tell anyone, especially Eruruu?"

I was a little disappointed with the Waabe portion of this episode, mostly because I feel they didn't show enough. No prison, no fighting. Just a, "Go. Save the man. We don't need your V.A. for the rest of this episode. See you at the end of the show." It says to me that Waabe isn't an important figure in the series, and by the time we see him again, he no longer is. This is one of the signs that to me, Utawarerumono is rushing the ending, otherwise we'd get a lot more out of the father of our two winged beauties.

I've studied Japanese for four years in high school and three years in college. But I guess I need to study a little harder because I couldn't effectively translate the portions that I wanted to get out of most - Eruruu and Hakuoro.

Is it just me or does two seem very distant from each other all of a sudden? If that's what they were trying to convey, then it certainly gave me that impression...that or they're just being more quiet then usual. Hakuoro is in his room and Eruruu is in hers. Hakuoro is working in one place and Eruruu is working somewhere else. In fact, the only time they actually talk to each other in this episode is when it's job-related. He wants tea? Eruruu will make tea. Eruruu needs to wake Hakuoro from strange unconsciousness. Eruruu needs to check on his bandages. Everything about the two has suddenly been reduced to an absolute minimum of contact and dialogue that it's impossible to make small talk last more than two sentences anymore.

That changes in the last scene between the two in this episode. After finding some reassurance from Urutorii, Eruruu takes her own initiative, approaches Hakuoro, and gets as close to intimacy as she can imagine. But you could just as well assume that it was after checking on Hakuoro's injuries that she places her head against him because it's not often you find the guy resting on his knees like that. However it might be, she's found a new confidence within herself.

So how did everything in Episode 23 lead to such close contact? To answer that, we need to answer a lot more questions that I (if not we) don't have the answers to. Saying Eruruu is having an emotional crisis would be an understatement. She is literally going through a plethora of emotions for reasons I don't even what, and keeping secrets from Hakuoro and us makes analyzing difficult.

First off, we understand that she feels her soul is no longer her own. Some spiritual contract that grants Aruruu's immortal nature in return for her self confines Eruruu in bondage. We understand that it terrifies her, restrains her. The question that remains is, who does she feel she is bound to - the entity or Hakuoro himself? Regardless of the answer, I can't pinpoint what she could be all saddened about. She MUST know that the two are the same people by now (episode 22 was pretty blatant about it. She must've seen the connection), and we know she has a great deal of respect for the man. So Eruruu has to either not see a connection between the entity and Hakuoro, does see a connection but is unwilling to be bound forever to Hakuoro (which would surprise me indefinately), or she troubled with something else.

Yuzuha was able to provide a partial answer with her hightened senses of touch and feeling - one of her few contributing moments. Eruruu says that she is lost, confused, uncertain of herself. Yuzuha replies by (what I think translates into) saying Eruruu wants to be close to Hakuoro.

Key words:
暖める （あたためる） - to warm up
呉れる （くれる） - to give, to let one have

Urutorii probably provided the best reaction to Eruruu in the episode and revealed the real reason for Eruruu's sorrow. The beginning half is vague to me but I got the distinct impression that Urutorii, as a kamunagi, was able to see through her feelings (and I feel that she sees through Hakuoro as well). The second half was more comprehensible to me. Urutorii distinctly tells Eruruu to listen to her own heart, that her heart is unique and can never be anyone elses, and living with her own heart is enough. Afterwards, she crys in joy and sets off for Hakuoro's chambers.

What does this mean? Two possibilities.
- (my initial interpretation) Eruruu never saw a connection between Hakuoro and the entity. Her body is bound to the being, which means she can't devote herself to the one she desires most, which is Hakuoro. Yuzuha told us what she wanted, and Urutorii said that it was ok for Eruruu to do what she wants. With that, she joins Hakuoro in his room.
- (this is the most likely answer) Eruruu sees a connection between Hakuoro and the entity. But because she is bound to him and for reasons of inappropriateness, she is unable to identify and express her true feelings for him. Not after Yuzuha tells Eruruu what it is she wants and Urutorii telling her it is okay for her to follow her heart that the young girl goes to Hakuoro and puts her body against him.

If you want to disprove my conclusion, go ahead! I still think I'm wrong. :frustrated: Most likely lost in translation.

Overall, it's pretty good. As an EruruuxHakuoro fan, this is one of the episodes that I've wanted for a long time. It was nice to reminisce about their relationship with similarly drawn panels and Eruruu mouthing the same words Hakuoro asked of Eruruu at the end of episode 4. If you empathize with Eruruu as much as I do, you'll find it to be a very sad episode in a dramatic way. Portions of their relationship are drawn closer, and yet some things are still unresolved and unanswered. This is an episode where you can't stop thinking, "tell him how you feel!".

My only hope is that Hakuoro eventually sees beyond the surface of Eruruu and goes through a change of behavior as Eruruu did. If he can do that, he'll really start to be aware of not only her heart but his own. Hopefully, Iceman and Mikoto will influence just that. I leave that riddle to you.

Animation was without any major flaws, but some of the content wasn't as well portrayed or clearly stated...obviously. I won't score yet until I can better translate what was discussed in this episode, but it won't be a 10/10 (and it's not getting marked down for its drawing this time).

[Key Board]

I think you're putting too much emphasis on Eruru x Hakuoro which I don't think what this story is about.

But then again, I didn't think Fate/Stay Night was about Shirou X Saber either.

[Kyero Fox]

She loves him I belive, Remember the flash backs Hakuoro had of her and he was smiling after it.

[Kyero Fox]

God ... Aruruu wins the award of cuteness ... My heart melted when I saw her playing in the blankets XD

[Srin Tuar]

- (my initial interpretation) Eruruu never saw a connection between Hakuoro and the entity. Her body is bound to the being, which means she can't devote herself to the one she desires most, which is Hakuoro. Yuzuha told us what she wanted, and Urutorii said that it was ok for Eruruu to do what she wants. With that, she joins Hakuoro in his room.
- (this is the most likely answer) Eruruu sees a connection between Hakuoro and the entity. But because she is bound to him and for reasons of inappropriateness, she is unable to identify and express her true feelings for him. Not after Yuzuha tells Eruruu what it is she wants and Urutorii telling her it is okay for her to follow her heart that the young girl goes to Hakuoro and puts her body against him.



Hmm, Its nothing that dramatic. What I gather is that
Eruru has always liked Hakuoro, but once she learns that she he is the one
she is bound to by her promise, she can't help but feel trapped by the loss
of her freedom of choice. (its like aruru is a hostage to keep her with him)

Hakuoro made that feeling especially acute when he asked her to always
stay by his side. She probably heard it as him reminding her of her contract.
(I think he's not fully aware of it yet, so he didnt know it would touch a nerve)

However, Urutori told her that her heart belongs to her, no matter what
contracts with whatever gods she was bound by, its something that only
she can give. (so he owns her body and soul by contract, but her heart
is her own to give or deny)

So Eruru no longer felt trapped, and could simply be content about her
feelings again.

Yuzuha was especially poetic :)

[Zaris]

Hmm, Its nothing that dramatic. What I gather is that
Eruruu has always liked Hakuoro, but once she learns that he is the one
she is bound to by her promise, she can't help but feel trapped by the loss
of her freedom of choice. (its like Aruruu is a hostage to keep her with him)

Hakuoro made that feeling especially acute when he asked her to always
stay by his side. She probably heard it as him reminding her of her contract.
(I think he's not fully aware of it yet, so he didnt know it would hit a nerve)

However, Urutorii told Eruruu that her heart belongs to her, no matter what
contracts with whatever gods she was bound by, its something that only
she can give. (so he owns her body and soul by contract, but her heart
is her own to give or deny)

So Eruruu no longer felt trapped, and could simply be content about her
feelings again.

I think you put it over the top.

You helped me clarify a very important detail - especially making clearer the thing Hakuoro asks Eruruu everytime she was tending to his injuries in this episode. Like, I KNEW he was asking her something very important, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. If what you're saying is correct, that Hakuoro unsuspectedly reminded her of the contract in that first incident, which rubbed salt on her wound, then I think that answers many of the doubts I've had over the past 24 hours. :eyebrow:

The other thing you've helped clarify is separating the three nouns apart - body, soul, heart. I was under the impression that the human heart and soul were the same thing, but I can see now they're not. Reviewing episode 22, there is no mention of heart - only soul and body. So if you can't separate the 3 like I did, then it's just amass of confusion.

A body is the physical structure and material substance of a person. The soul, according to wikipedia, is a self-aware ethereal substance particular to a unique living being, incorperating the inner essence of each being (essentially marking sentience). The heart, however, is the source of all emotion, the seat of all joy and sadness. It is not a subtance per say that can be controlled (most cases, anyway). So obviously after doing some research, they're not the same.

So putting together Srin Tuar's interpretation and my newfound revelation, it sounds to me like she was feeling coersed in some way, forced into unconditional servitude. And when Hakuoro struck that nerve that evening by asking her to stay by him always, it made things totally worse. It was all she could think about, and the more she thought about it, the worse she got. Yuzuha tells us, the audience, what her heart desires, but Eruruu doesn't want it to be a forced, meaningless relationship. It's after Urutorii telling her that her heart is her own that reminds Eruruu that she DOES has a choice - the choice to make something special happen with her unique, unobtainable heart. And indeed, she does follow her heart, and this time the same question posed onto her doesn't affect her the way it did the first time. She says "yes" because it is what she wants, not what she must do.

I personally felt that Hakuoro has given Eruruu a lot of freedom over the course of the series, consciously or unconsciously. But I suppose being forced to surrender a portion of herself is that serious to her. Maybe just being reassured that she does have a choice is enough for her. Maybe, JUST MAYBE...she had forgotten.

In short, this episode was all about doing something without a purpose and doing something with meaning and heart. Hence the title.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think you're putting too much emphasis on Eruru x Hakuoro which I don't think what this story is about.

I will admit that I put a lot of 'wishful thinking' on the Eruruu/Hakuoro relationship. But I disagree with the fact that Utawarerumono isn't about Hakuoro and Eruruu. It is most definately about them. EVERY episode has featured them talking to or about each other at least once (Aruruu was not present for any V.A. on episode 7).

Now you could argue that the only principle protagonist in the series is Hakuoro. He is the man in the mask that doesn't know his past, his origin, his power. This is a 26-episode quest for identity, you could say. The problem here is that all the antagonists that try and impose their will upon him keeps dying (minus Dii, but they haven't even met yet), so there's no lasting dramatic effect. Drama normally involves a conflict between people; therefore you need at least two lasting characters, and Eruruu fits that role. In cases where only one person is in a dramatic scene and no other characters are present, it is usually the environment that plays the role of antagonist. But it's pretty obvious that this isn't Hakuoro vs. Utawarerumono because the environment isn't out to get him.

You could also say that this is a story about war, but it's not. War is one of the genres here, but we're not being fed lessons about warfare or the consequences of taking another life every single episode. No, we're learning something about Hakuoro and Eruruu every week. They're talking to another, smiling and hugging each other. There are moments of conflict between the two, and conflict is drama. Action (beit physical or emotional) is character, and character is the foundation of any story.

Utawarerumono is about Hakuoro and Eruruu.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My synopsis (http://www.takattack.net/exile/) has been adjusted. Thanks so much, Srin Tuar.

[Grey]

A body is the physical structure and material substance of a person. The soul, according to wikipedia, is a self-aware ethereal substance particular to a unique living being, incorperating the inner essence of each being (essentially marking sentience). The heart, however, is the source of all emotion, the seat of all joy and sadness. It is not a subtance per say that can be controlled (most cases, anyway). So obviously after doing some research, they're not the same. A legitimate category distinction, although there are other ways to draw the line. If the 'soul' is emphasized as containing the core character of a person (everything that makes them 'them'--ie. their personality), then this would include their emotional tendencies. If the body is emphasized, then emotions may be reduced to the processes of the brain; 'heart' becomes simply a metaphor with no actual place in defining a person.

Then there's the point that the japanese terms translated as 'soul' and 'body' do not hold the same distinction with the term 'heart' that english has. ('Soul' and 'heart' may be overlapping in connotation).

-------

In other news, I'm relatively disappointed that the Yuzuha-Hakuoro relation probably won't happen. It certainly would have been...an interesting twist, and I've always thought of it as a nice finishing touch on Yuzuha's story.

[Onizuka-GTO]

In other news, I'm relatively disappointed that the Yuzuha-Hakuoro relation probably won't happen. It certainly would have been...an interesting twist, and I've always thought of it as a nice finishing touch on Yuzuha's story.


Yeah its a bitter sweat story, typically Japanese, it's a shame we won't see that. but then if we could change the ending i would rather go with a touka/Kakura ending :p

dammn must ge the game....:D

[Key Board]

On another note, Dii is voiced by Char Aznable

Or if you don't know who that is, Gilbert Durandal

AWESOME

[Zaris]

Dii has a cool voice (V.A. by Shūichi Ikeda), but I think it's oddly deep for a character that looks so young (but heck, he could be very very old for all we know). No wrinkles, no blemishes. Probably uses a lot of women's makeup products. :O

On yet ANOTHER note, you'd think Touka and Genjimaru would be happy to see a member of their own kind again, but nothing has come of them yet. Hopefully the next episode will. = |

[Xellos-_^]

On another note, Dii is voiced by Char Aznable

Or if you don't know who that is, Gilbert Durandal

AWESOME

9 out of 10 times the character he voice is evil :rolleyes:

[saravis]

9 out of 10 times the character he voice is evil :rolleyes:
So what is the other 1 out of 10:confused:

[Xellos-_^]

So what is the other 1 out of 10:confused:

Shouka,

Shuurei's father in Saiunkoku Monogatari. He is the royal librarian.

[ChainLegacy]

This episode was a beast, despite the fact that none of the characters actually fought (except for some Genjimaru ownage). The flashback with unthawed Hakuoro and Mikoto was pretty interesting, and I now have some new ideas and theories for the storyline. Any anime that makes me seriously contemplate and theorize the plot is win.

[d1no]

Yea this episode was a BEAST they smashed and are gunna continue to smash and just BEAST around.

[Hazardous]

I do agree with D1no, however I do also belive that it is a BEAST because it can smash.

[vietpimp]

Anyone else got this feeling that Genjimaru will betray them sooner or later?

Maybe I'm just weird but from the conversation he hadd with Dii I think that he will betray the group.

[Deathkillz]

^ thats is wht i though...hes acting too good to be true...it has to be some soret of trap IMO

i liked this ep and yea there is the question of where is that place in hakuoro's flashback >.<!!!

awh and eruruu needs some love :( shes feeling left out imo

[Cardiac Glycoside]

Eruruu needs to shop around for better male lovers or become lesbian. Her date history is pretty bad, when you consider it:

Nuwangi--became a gov't employee and an asshole.
Hakuoro--became THE gov't employee, calls her sister/mother, and made Eruruu his bitch.

We are all joyfully anticipating a threeway with Karura and Urutorii.

[Xellos-_^]

Eruruu needs to shop around for better male lovers or become lesbian. Her date history is pretty bad, when you consider it:

Nuwangi--became a gov't employee and an asshole.
Hakuoro--became THE gov't employee, calls her sister/mother, and made Eruruu his bitch.

We are all joyfully anticipating a threeway with Karura and Urutorii.

Threeway? You think too small. :eyebrow:

Fourway with Touka, Urutorii and Karura :D

[Cardiac Glycoside]

Threeway? You think too small. :eyebrow:

Fourway with Touka, Urutorii and Karura :DTouka is IMHO the odd (even?) one out in this case because she hasn't interacted much with Erururutorii (besides for a few seconds in ep. 14) and she seemingly resents Karura.

Perhaps her three way is with Aruruu and Gachatara. *insert various outrage here*

[Deathkillz]

its true that touka doesnt get enough of the spot light...but still she deservers better than aruruu and gachatara in her 3 way -.-

[Xellos-_^]

Touka is IMHO the odd (even?) one out in this case because she hasn't interacted much with Erururutorii (besides for a few seconds in ep. 14) and she seemingly resents Karura.



opposites attract.

Perphas Touka's resentment is a manfestation of her attraction to Karura. Karura probably have no problems with it :p

[jtrog]

I liked the ep 23 a whole lot. It filled in possibly some unknown info. But most of all was the ending area where

'I wish for a goddess like you to be with me forever,,, Keichii! Belldandy KieChii! ... Lmao. I replayed that part and spoke the words and it looked like it fit as she said it.

It really was a cool show. 10+

[sedukshun]

O.O" mikito ....

u no when he "flashbacked"
didnt it look like the future to u...rather than the past :s
coz it was a laboratory and artificial beings (mikoto)
and guns...etc.


ah nvm im confused *runs off for a cup of tea and sleeps*


hehe eruruuXhakuoro is nice...but an awkward relationship

[Zaris]

O.O" mikito ....

u no when he "flashbacked"
didnt it look like the future to u...rather than the past :s
coz it was a laboratory and artificial beings (mikoto)
and guns...etc.


ah nvm im confused *runs off for a cup of tea and sleeps*


hehe eruruuXhakuoro is nice...but an awkward relationship

Trying to make the relationship viewable for an all-age audience is awkward. = P

Most things are designed for the format that they were intended to be. Adaptations tend to lose stuff for all sorts of fan and legal reasons. For example, Lord of the Rings was originally a book and never intended to be a movie. If the author had designed it to be a feature film, it would've been writen to adjust for certain cinematic qualities (composition, visual/sensory highlights, dramatic buildup). Same thing can be said about turning comic books into film (Spiderman) or films into television shows (Star Wars).

So you can imagine the same thing happening with games (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children), and Utawarerumono, being an adult game to begin with (porn seems like the wrong noun to describe it O_o ), make conversion even more difficult. Turning this or Fate/Stay Night into a TV show (consider airing restrictions, content control, and the like) is like baking an apple pie and leaving out the apple and sugar.

Touka has suffered the most out of this show imo. There's a lot more to Touka than the chivalrous soldier routine, but it's very likely the show has ran out of time to feature any more of her personality. Even Kurou is more three-dimensional.

-----------------

Sedukshun, you're thinking too hard. = P Even Renegade334 has mentioned it already. For a clearer description, I recommend this website (http://project-apollo.net/text/rpg.html) and scroll down to #99 and #169 for your answer as to what is going on. This past-future thing is wierd, but be patient. It's really not.

The rest of the website isn't half-bad either. :D

[Cardiac Glycoside]

#2 also seems to apply... somewhat.

And like what I said earlier, the seconds after the Big Bang must have produced bateria capable of shitting supercomputers.

[Deathkillz]

the past-future thing isnt that hard really (tho i did think of it :p) generally just imagine that its after armageddon and life starts again ^^ but this time in ancient periods ppl gain animal features, magic powers and gundams and i suppose hakuoro survived armageddon cause hes a demon :rolleyes:

edit: thx for the link...its funny but so true :heh: #188 ftw XD

[Kyero Fox]

Darthkillz is right thats basicly how it happened.

[Renegade334]

the past-future thing isnt that hard really (tho i did think of it :p) generally just imagine that its after armageddon and life starts again ^^ but this time in ancient periods ppl gain animal features, magic powers and gundams and i suppose hakuoro survived armageddon cause hes a demon :rolleyes:

You're actually correct - this reverse evolution thing isn't that uncommon if you reminisce the revelations made in certain steampunk series like Turn A Gundam or Scrapped Princess - something happens during Mankind's golden age and suddenly they lose all of their technology and are forced to return to a medieval way of life - or even backwards.

However, this time there is a catch - most series feature magic as a byproduct of science or science hidden under mystic traits. However this time, magic and science lived together without seeing each other from the very beginning - i.e. the skeleton awakening when the scientist got shot. The two just mixed at a certain point but science as we know of it ceased to exist right after. The only science-born thing that is still used to this day in UM's world is the Av Kamuu army, but they weren't exactly made for what Kuuya intends to do with them.

As for Hakuoro surviving through the Armageddon (note that in the game it isn't known whether it's a large-scale cataclysm like global pollution, asteroid impact or a plague or simply World War (X)) well, we've already got the answers both in ep23 and from the very beginning...
Mizushima, the scientist (the one who appears in a hologram), addresses the scientist as "Iceman"...
...And in the OP you see something related to ice...heh heh...
http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3893/icemanwa0.th.jpg (http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/3893/icemanwa0.jpg)

[Sinestra]

Good episode im glad Eruruu over came her doubts and returned to Hakuoro's. That was a touching moment him asking her to be by his side forever well at least the second time was.

My guess about the flashback is after Hakuoro was shot his essence or soul went into the demon. Years and years later some type of Apocalyptic event occured. He was found in the future just someone would discover a mummy except he was in ice hence Iceman". However, unlike his past man has now artifical creatures like the one he named Mikoto basically they are slaves. Im think something else bad happens destroying the people that made them maybe a rebellion afterwards life started over with these half human half animal speading out and forming communties the regular humans did the same till countires were formed. thats my guess. The only thing i dont get is the possible 2 demons but i guess we will find out eventually.

Does anyone think that Hakuoro and the crew are being set up? Would Sakuya and Genjimaru really betray Kuuya?

[Sinestra]

God ... Aruruu wins the award of cuteness ... My heart melted when I saw her playing in the blankets XD


So true so true Aruruu is the little sister i wish i had

[Shiroth]

Renegade334:

I know we're very close to the end.. but don't you think you should place everything you said into a spoiler? I myself know the story and all.. but i'm sure there are many people who want to find out for themselfs.

[Vexx]

Anyone remember "Planet of the Apes" (the original version)? Or about 500 different science fiction stories that have been written along the same lines like
A Canticle For Liebowitz?

I'll call that a hint rather than a spoiler....

[Lost]

O.O" mikito ....

u no when he "flashbacked"
didnt it look like the future to u...rather than the past :s
coz it was a laboratory and artificial beings (mikoto)
and guns...etc.
the past-future thing isnt that hard really (tho i did think of it ) generally just imagine that its after armageddon and life starts again ^^ but this time in ancient periods ppl gain animal features, magic powers and gundams and i suppose hakuoro survived armageddon cause hes a demon
Yep. More people need to watch Scrapped Princess to understand post-apocalyptic. URGGH. I haven watched 23 because I'm waiting for something.

[Cardiac Glycoside]

A comment.

I don't find Oruyankuru very huggable, yet Kamyu doesn't even hestitate. I guess she is the shows second most affectionate character (Aruruu being the first). Let's review--

Aruruu
-Loves her "dad" even though he is a monstrous behemoth
-Loves best friend despite vampirism
-Instantly friends with all sorts of overpowered creatures

Kamyu
-Hugs her very unhuggable dad

[Zaris]

Let's not forget episode 8, where Kamyu jumps for joy at being able to stay at Hakuoro's palace.

Kamyu is crazy emo.

[Lost]

Aruruu
-Loves her "dad" even though he is a monstrous behemoth
-Loves best friend despite vampirism
-Instantly friends with all sorts of overpowered creatures
Crap you just triggered my huggy-emo-fanboy attack. *need to find something to hug* You gotta love Aruruu so much just for being herself!!! Dont forget, she's tsundere too! :eyespin:

[Cardiac Glycoside]

Yarrgh, and Zaris triggered tempestuous emotions upon reminding me of Kamyu and her ample bosom rubbing vigorously against Hakuoro.

Too bad the guy has the sex drive of a dead fish.

[zalas]

A comment.

I don't find Oruyankuru very huggable, yet Kamyu doesn't even hestitate. I guess she is the shows second most affectionate character (Aruruu being the first).
I don't know if that really says anything. I would expect a girl of her age and energy to do that especially if she had no clue on her dad's whereabouts and whether he still lived. It's almost like greeting your father after he had come back from seemingly certain death.

[Sinestra]

Yarrgh, and Zaris triggered tempestuous emotions upon reminding me of Kamyu and her ample bosom rubbing vigorously against Hakuoro.

Too bad the guy has the sex drive of a dead fish.

Touche Cardiac Glycoside a waste of time to even put the pole in the water

[Guido]

My apologies for slacking behind a whole week; episodes come and go at different rates.

Quite a touching episode to further strengthening bonds between Hakuoro and Eruruu; Eruruu's view about the uneasiness that momentarily overtook her heart; but overall, the tidbit flash of Hakuoro's previous past that will answer the mystery connection between Witsarmitea & him and how the world of Utawarerumono came to be.


Hakuoro must have had experienced a flashback episode about the past, reliving memories that kept dormant within him; now that Witsarmitea is nearly awakened in him.

- An Eruruu look-a-like girl who responded by the number 3510, but whom Iceman named her Mikoto.

- In that distant past there was still future technology, perhaps remnants from an extinct civilization; an extinct human race?

- Then, Hakuoro was the Iceman and most likely the man who was shot in the previous flashback that Hakuoro himself experienced.

- Hakuoro is realising little by little his connection to Witsarmitea but cannot get it yet.


And Dii whatever angle I see him, he's just a bad omen.

From the farthest point of the world to the most peaceful country, he seems to carry the whisper of death and an air of destruction revolving around him.

And most of important, he's more than meets the eye when growing interested about Hakuoro understanding Witsarmitea awakening.

Another connection perhaps he shares with Hakuoro...

[GundamZZ]

That's about right.

I suspect he still loves 3510 and mourns for her end. It would explain his incredible ignorace to Eruru's feeling. Everyone, except him, knows Eruru is in love.

[Darklightz]

Ok,so we learned that the world of Utawarerumono is just the result of crazy otaku scientist with a furry fetish?

[Cardiac Glycoside]

The scientists are obviously Japanese. If they were African(whatever), doubtless the new races will all have no body fat and incredibly nice asses.

[Flame-X]

i dont know if this was mentioned already but i found a glitch during the part when they go back to hakuro's past as iceman. look closely in timeframe between 7:59-8:03 and 8:07-8:09. the symbol on iceman's shirt disappeared!